Biglaw Firm Affirms Its Commitment To Diversity & Inclusion With New Billable Hours Policy
The firm has also taken on several new and important DE&I initiatives.
Biglaw firms across the country are implementing all manner of initiatives to bring attention to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion among their ranks. We’ve previously acknowledged Dorsey & Whitney, Hogan Lovells, Davis Wright Tremaine, Reed Smith, Cooley, Baker McKenzie, Ropes & Gray, Locke Lord, Foley Hoag, and K&L Gates as firms where approved diversity and inclusion-related work will be billable for attorneys and will count toward bonus thresholds. We just received word that yet another Biglaw firm is making its pledge to increase diversity and inclusion within the legal profession a major priority.
Robinson+Cole — a firm that brought in $130,246,000 gross revenue in 2020 — hopes to make diversity in the workplace a reality with its introduction of several new initiatives, including a diversity hours policy. From the firm’s press release:
Effective January 1, 2021, up to 50 hours per calendar year devoted to approved DE&I activities will count towards the annual billable-hours requirement for all of the firm’s timekeepers. The approved DE&I activities include participation in a diverse affinity bar association or diversity oriented professional organization; mentoring underrepresented lawyers and law students; and attending programs, events and trainings focused on DE&I, among other activities.
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On top of its new diversity hours, the firm is also encouraging employees to use personal pronouns in their email signatures and online bios, and one of its new employee benefits includes access to a breast milk storage and delivery service for nursing mothers who are traveling. The firm has also joined the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, and plans to participate in large-scale pro bono projects that address systemic racism.
Rhonda J. Tobin, Robinson+Cole’s managing partner, emphasized that having a diverse workforce was “integral” to the firm’s “core values of collaboration, civility, and inclusion.” Tobin went on to note that the firm is launching these initiatives “in an effort to enhance our culture, promote meaningful engagement in DE&I efforts, and to continue to create an environment of inclusion for all employees.”
Congratulations to Robinson+Cole on its commitment to diversity, and for offering its attorneys a way to create a better workplace. What an admirable way to support diversity and inclusion efforts. What is your firm doing to support DE&I within the legal profession? Please email us to let us know.
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Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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